Adulthood. That word has so much meaning. When I think of it, I think of independence. I remember when I was a teenager and I wanted so badly to be independent. If you know me well enough, you know how much I value that word: independence. I have always dreamed of having my own car, having an awesome job, living on my own and placing my own stamp on the world. I often ignored those who were struggling adults when they said, "It's not all it's cut out to be." Conversations I would overhear would essentially be engrossed around bills. Of course being a kid, I was a little naiive to think that I could make it without struggling. Being in debt was not something I even considered. I remember overhearing such conversations between a 30-something or 40-something to a struggling 20-something giving advice. The struggling 20-something would list off all the things they are paying for, such as student loans, rent, car payments, food, and other things that tend to suck you dry. They would talk about how none of their furniture doesn't match because they are either from thrift stores, rummage sales, or hand-me-downs.
I always looked up to those 20-somethings because they were living an exciting life. They were on their own, paying for their own way through, although it's with Ramen Noodles, they are doing it.
I don't know how or when this happened, but I just woke up one morning and I suddenly became one of those 20-somethings I looked up to. Not only that, but I had all these bills to pay. I have been struggling to pay for student loans, paying my medical bills, car insurance, my own food, rent, and what have you. Last week my car quit working. I saw it coming but it was still inconvenient to have to work around it. My car was having trouble starting for about a week and then that dreaded day. It didn't turn on. It refused to do such a task. Luckily it happened in the parking lot at the auto shop. (Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Jesus!) It could have been anywhere. I am so happy it didn't happen in the parking ramp at my work. I am enormously grateful my car stopped working where it happened because that meant I wouldn't even have to pay for a tow truck.
I had to miss work. That's life I'm afraid. I had debated on going in to work via public transport, or stay home until the mechanic called. I opted to stay home because I don't know the system well, and the big reason to stay home is that I didn't know when my car would be finished. I got the call from the mechanic and he estimated the cost to be $420. My thoughts were spinning and all I could think of was,"That's a lot of money." I called a couple other places to make sure they weren't taking advantage of me. I felt better knowing that this is the right price and even a bit cheaper than the other places. When I went to pay for the repairs and collect my car, he told me I only needed to pay $404. I asked him to repeat that again and needed to confirm that was the right price. According to the other shops I called, I saved myself $31 and even $50. It's a small difference compared to what I had to pay but God is good because that is all I had in my savings account. Anything more I would've had to try to figure something out.
I may have wiped out my savings but I drove away from that shop with a smile because I paid for that repair all on my own. In case you're wondering what was wrong with my car, it needed a new starter. Since I couldn't afford to miss another full day of work on my paycheck, I went straight to my job and did a half day and then went back the next day (on a Saturday) to work 5 more hours. This 20-something needs all the money she can earn.
Amy
